It's all systems go for Palaro in Tagum

Subscribe Now April 17, 2015 at 08:29am

Organizers only need to iron out minor kinks before rolling out the red carpet to more than 10,000 athletes and officials for the 2015 Palarong Pambansa which starts in 17 days and highlighted by an opening ceremony extravaganza at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum.

After a general meeting among heads of key committees from host Davao del Norte and the Department of Education (DepEd), media representatives and sponsors and stakeholders at the office of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario at the provincial capitol on Tuesday, Organizing Committee Secretariat Chairperson Sofonias Gabonada Jr. declared the games as “green and go.”

“Everything is in place and what we need at the moment – which is 17 days before the games open – are finishing touches to make sure that operations go smoothly for the entire seven days of the Palaro,” Gabonada said. “The venues have always been ready and what are only needed are the athletes and officials and the fans.”

Only one – gymnastics which will be staged in nearby Panabo City – of the 35 venues for the 23 sports on the Davao del Norte Palaro backed by the Tagum Agricultural Development Company Inc. or TADECO, Damosa Land, Davao Packaging Corporation (DPC), Davao International Container Terminal, Inc. (DICT), and Pearl Farm Beach Resort is located outside city limits.

DepEd Department Legislative Liaison Specialist Francis Dela Cruz, DepEd Information Technology Officer 1 Deo Genito Jr., Provincial Sports Coordinator Giovanni Gulanes, members of the provincial information office, the media and other private partners, joined Gabonada in the general meeting that would be the last major huddle for the communication and results team before the urn is lit for the games.

The Palaro will officially start on May 3 but the opening ceremony will be staged on May 4, a Monday, at the sprawling Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex where athletics, swimming and tennis will be held. The Rodolfo del Rosario Gym, a state-of-the-art and fully air-conditioned basketball arena is also within the complex but will be the venue for badminton.

The hosts are also bringing the games closer to the people of Davao del Norte by conducting taekwondo at the Gaisano Mall, table tennis and the demonstration sport of billiards at the NCCC and boxing at the Tagum Trade Center.

Competition schedules and programs of Palaro-related events, including cultural and tourism activities prepared by the hosts, will be available on the games website davnorpalaro2015.com later this week.